***PRESS RELEASE ***
CONTACT: Matthew Rao
(404) 354-5280
chair@beltlinerailnow.org
Beltlinerailnow.org
Norwood Resolution to Pave Beltline Unwise, and Would Kill Beltline Rail
Atlanta, GA —
Press Release
For Immediate Release
May 6, 2026
ATLANTA, GA – Beltline Rail Now expresses its extreme disappointment in Council Member Mary Norwood (D8-Buckhead) for proposing to pave more of the Beltline, creating a parallel sidewalk for wheeled vehicles like bikes, e-bikes, and scooters. Resolution 26-R-3534, introduced Monday, May 4th, and co-sponsored by Council Member Eshé Collins (D-3 at large), urges “the Atlanta Department of Transportation and the Department of Parks and Recreation, install dedicated lanes along the Atlanta BeltLine Trail for bicycles and authorized low-speed motorized devices.” BRN has learned today, May 6th, that CM Collins plans to remove her name from the resolution paper.
At a time when Atlanta faces a transportation crisis unparalleled in its history–a crisis of mobility, affordability, sustainability, and equity, instead of using her position to solve that problem, Norwood has advanced a motion that will forever prevent the solution the voters approved and have paid for–a mass transit solution in the right of way we already have–Beltline rail.
Click Here for the full Norwood Resolution
While the motivation behind the motion–safe passage for both pedestrians and those who ride bikes, e-bikes, and scooters on Atlanta’s Beltline–is an admirable goal, Beltline congestion would be best alleviated by building all 22 miles of Beltline Rail, which would enable riders to go longer distances and mix modes of travel when they do. Norwood’s proposal would permanently foreclose on the Mayor’s and the City’s plans for Beltline rail, and would add yet more pavement to Atlanta’s landscape.
The ill-conceived measure would likely not produce the safety and security Norwood seeks. Instead, it will create a high-speed cycle track where e-bikes and scooters could easily exceed 30 mph and come into direct conflict and collision with pedestrians crossing the trail perpendicularly at marked crossings. There is no assurance that the pedestrians would not use the new path and cyclists the old path–and little in the way of possible policing for enforcement. And like adding a lane to a road or freeway, it is never a permanent solution. In nearly all places where the proposed new paved trail would parallel the existing 14’ wide path, there is no room for both the grass-tracks transit and a second paved trail. What is needed are additional safe places off the Beltline for cyclists and pedestrians alike.
The Council referred the resolution for review to the Community Development & Human Resources Committee (CDHS), which would ordinarily hear it on Tuesday, May 12th. Because of an anticipated lack of quorum at CDHS this Tuesday, May 12th, the motion will not be heard there. Instead, there will be a FULL COUNCIL vote Monday, May 18th at 1:00 PM at City Hall, 55 Trinity St SW, Atlanta, GA 30309. Stay tuned for updates and further developments
Those wishing to give public comment on May 18th should arrive by 12:30 PM and sign in in the Council Meeting Chambers on the 2nd floor off the atrium.
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